Shaq Gifts Kansas City Teenager After Mother Starts GoFundMe

Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal has made a big difference in the life of a young boy who wears a size 23 shoe. The generous Shaq blessed the teenager after his family placed a GoFundMe account to try to help get him some custom-made shoes.

According to KCTV, a Kansas City teenager, Jor’el Bolden was ecstatic when, after his mother, Tamika Neal, set up a fundraiser to raise money to outfit his size 23 feet, he got a surprise phone call. The phone call was actually a FaceTime call from Shaq after he was made aware of Bolden’s plight.

Having big feet causes issues when most brands do not make footwear that large for the average consumer. His mother stated she has to get specially made shoes that wouldn’t hurt his feet. That’s why the GoFundMe campaign was created.

“Hi, my name is Tamika! I’m a single mother of my gentle giant – 6’5’’, 380 lb – son. I have been jokingly saying that I was going to create a GoFundMe page due to him needing shoes. I never actually thought it would come to fruition. The first time that I mentioned it he was in a size 17 shoe. That was a year ago. My 16 year old son, Jor’el, is now in a size 23 shoe.

“This size shoe is hard to come by, as commercial shoe sizes only go up to a size 22. However, I have spoken to some people who are able to make a shoe for him. They are asking $1500 for one pair. Seeing that he is not done growing, I figure I should get two pairs.”

After word got out about the campaign and Bolden’s situation, Neal stated that “Entertainment Tonight” contacted her and she told her son that ‘someone special wants to talk to you’,” Neal said. Bolden was able to speak to Shaq and less than a week later, there were three big boxes delivered to the teenager.

Shaq gifted him with new clothes and shoes as well as some things from the 7’1″ TNT analyst’s closet. Since Shaq wears size 22 sneakers, some of the items in one of the boxes were nearly 20 pairs of shoes that were once worn by Shaq. Yet, his favorite item was Shaq’s Papa John’s shirt that he wore in several commercials

“They are big help for now,” Neal said. “but he will need a bigger shoe eventually and that’s what this money is for.”

The GoFundMe is still going on and it has received more than $12,000 out of a goal of $9,500.